HUD AWARDS $2.5 MILLION TO HELP YOUTH LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING AFFORD COLLEGE AND CONTINUE EDUCATION

“Education Navigators” will help students and their families apply for federal student aid

WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — To help low-income youthand their families apply for federal student aid for college and other post-secondary educational opportunities, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded approximately $2.5 million to nine Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to hire “Education Navigators” to guide them through the application process.

The Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) for Education Program, also known as Project SOAR (Students + Opportunities + Achievements = Results), is a new demonstration program that provides grant funding to public housing authorities to deploy education navigators to help public housing youth ages of 15-20 and their families apply for the U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as well as assist with financial literacy and college readiness, post-secondary program applications and post-acceptance assistance.

“Achieving the dream of a college education is becoming more of a reality for hundreds of students living in HUD-assisted housing,” said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. “This is an investment in our young people by putting them on a path to a college degree and creating greater opportunity to more prosperous lives.”

Increased access to higher education can significantly improve life outcomes. The Department of Education estimates that those who earn a bachelor’s degree earn two-thirds more than those with only a high school diploma or an average of $1 million more in lifetime earnings. In addition, college graduates are far less likely to face unemployment. It’s also estimated that within the next four years, two-thirds of all new full-time jobs will require a college education.

ROSS for Education is one of several HUD initiatives to increase access to federal financial aid for HUD-assisted families and students.

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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all.
More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the nation’s housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation’s fair housing laws.

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